After nearly falling on their face in the opening round of the playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs found their footing Tuesday night and ran the Portland Trail Blazers off the court. At the beginning of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Portland Trail Bl… (more)azers looked capable of giving the San Antonio Spurs a strong challenge and a potential series upset. Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, Tony Parker had 16 points and 10 assists, and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a 114-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. The Dallas Mavericks won the 2011 title by pouring in long jumpers from the elbow as much as they did from behind the arc, and the league’s second-best offense in 2013-14 was performed by a Portland Trail Blazers team that ranked 10th in 3-pointers taken and 13th in free throws attempted. The only time Portland has rebounded after a two-loss series start was the in 1977 finals against Philadelphia - which remains the team's lone NBA championship. On offense, Nicolas Batum managed to shoot 2-of-3 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, giving the perimeter-oriented team their first three-pointer of the game nearly three full quarters before their first in Game 1.

Spurs rout Trail Blazers 114-97 in Game 2

Spurs handle the Blazers again in Game 2, open up 2-0 series lead

At the beginning of the Western Conference semifinals, the Portland Trail Blazers looked capable of giving the San Antonio Spurs a strong challenge and a potential series upset. After two games, they can be forgiven for wondering what they'll have to do…

Spurs spread scoring load, ease by Blazers

Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, Tony Parker had 16 points and 10 assists, and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a 114-97 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

LIVE: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers Game 2

There was a rattlesnake in the Portland Trail Blazers locker room before Game 2 vs. the Spurs (Photo)

As if the Portland Trail Blazers didn't have enough to worry about heading into Thursday's Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals matchup with a San Antonio Spurs team that thoroughly dominated them in the series opener, now they've got to worry …

Parker shreds Blazers, Spurs cruise in Game 1

Parker's 33 lead Spurs in blowout of Blazers

Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night.